Georgina had gone pale. “Are you sure?” she asked. “Is there a ‘but’?”
“No ‘but.’ Based on your excellent and detailed reporting, we believe he suffered an episode of what we call ‘syncope.’ In other words, he fainted.” She flipped through her notes. “We did a work up and an ECG, and his health is about on par with his last visit. I feel comfortable releasing him toyou.”
Georgina sobbed and covered her mouth. “He’s going to beokay?”
“He is,” Dr. Rimmelsaid.
I rubbed her back but leaned forward to address the doctor. “Why’d thishappen?”
“We’re not sure, but it sounds scarier than it is. For now, Georgina and I will continue to monitor the situation. As she knows, Bruno’s prone to crises due to his heart disease, but so far he’s been prettylucky.”
“Does this mean things are getting worse?” Georgina asked. “Is there any . . . permanentdamage?”
“No, but we can review the procedure for crises if youlike.”
“Should you run more tests?” Iasked.
“Let’s just keep an eye on things. It could’ve been a one-time occurrence, so trying to treat it could be invasive and cause more distress than necessary. If it happens again, we’ll look at adjusting the dosage of his meds and some otheroptions.”
“Was there anything I could’ve done differently?” Georgina asked. “Anything atall?”
“Nope,” Dr. Rimmel said. “You reacted swiftly with awareness and clarity. At least it appears that way to me. Bruno’s in great shape and going crazy back there. You ready to seehim?”
Georgina pinched the inside corners of her eyes and shook her head. I had a feeling she’d prepared herself for all possible scenarios—except good news. “What if I hadn’t been there?” sheasked.
“At worst, he could’ve hit his head or fallen in a dangerous area,” the doctor answered. “But odds are he would’ve beenokay.”
“If I know Georgina, she’s beating herself up because she left him home alone for a few hours,” Luciano said. “Please tell her that’sallowed.”
“It’s not my job to tell her what is or isn’t allowed,” Dr. Rimmel said. “But what I can objectively say is that Ms. Keller is one of the best dog owners I’ve encountered in mycareer.”
I squeezed her hand as she said, “Thank you,Doctor.”
Dr. Rimmel nodded. “I’ll go get Bruno. Then we can review what to do if this happens again and some small changes you can make to Bruno-proof yourapartment.”
She tensed, but before I could ask if she was okay, Luciano stood. “I’ll stay for the demonstration too since I dogsit,” he said, narrowing his eyes across the room. “Right after I give the cutie at the front desk mynumber.”
Once we were alone, Georgina took her hand back. I flexed mine to keep from reaching for her, not ready to let goyet.
“I’m sorry if my palms are clammy,” she said. “And if I lookscary.”
I moved her hair behind her shoulder. After having unfettered access to her just the night before, it wasn’t easy keeping my hands to myself. Likewise, it was hard to resist leaning in to kiss her when I’d had my mouth all over her so recently. “You look like a girl who loves herdog.”
She shivered, from the cold or from my touch, I wasn’t sure. “You don’t have to stay,” she said. “I’ll probably make the vet go over it with me at least threetimes.”
“I’m staying. I’ve got a Ruff Ride on standby, and I’m making sure you and Bruno get home in onepiece.”
“Sebastian—”
Bruno burst through the door with a technician in tow. She released his leash, and he nearly knocked Georgina over with the force of his excitement. Seeing her laugh relieved some of the tension in myneck.
I squatted to get eye to eye with Bruno. “Handsome as ever,” I said, scrubbing his head. “Opal will be soimpressed.”
“Opal?” Georginaasked.
“I talked with the shelter today,” I said, glancing up at her. “I’m going to stop by after work tomorrow to start thepaperwork.”
She started to smile and then stopped herself. Why? Did she still have doubts about whether I’d be a responsible petowner?
